Biography
B. 1979. Sean Gallagher is a British photographer, videographer and multimedia producer, currently based in China.
Graduating in Zoology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England in 2002, he subsequently changed career direction into photojournalism.
To date he has lived and worked across the world, spending extended periods of time in locations as diverse as Japan, Brazil, China, the United Arab Emirates and various European nations. His most recent work has specialised on social and environmental issues in Asia, with specific emphasis on China.
His recent photographic achievements include:
2011
- Recipient of fourth travel grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - China's Fragile Forests
- First Prize - Multimedia - Press Photographer's Year
- Pictures of the Year International Emerging Vision Nominee
- Recipient of third travel grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - North-Korea Meth Trade - Newsweek
2010
- Official photographer for British Prime Minister, David Cameron during trip to Beijing, China.
- Recipient of second travel grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - China's Wetlands Crisis
- Essay on desertification appears as 12-page feature in National Geographic China.
- Finalist at the Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalists in Multimedia Category
2009
- Recipient of first travel grant from The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting - Desertification in China
- Honorable mention at the Earth Journalism Awards at Copenhagen Climate Conference.
- 2nd Place in the Environment Category of the International Photography Awards.
2008
- First recipient of the David Alan Harvey Fund for Emerging Photographers.
- Acknowledged at the Visual Culture Awards.
2007
- Regional Nominee (UK) for World Press Joop Swart Masterclass
2006
- Received sponsorship from FujiFilmUK to continue documentary work in China.
- Shortlisted for the Joan Wakelin Bursary (Royal Photographic SocietyUK)
2005
- Awarded scholarship to attend the "Focus on Monferrato" workshop, in Piemonte, Northern Italy, hosted by Toscana Photographic Workshops.
2004
- Selected to undertake a 1-year paid internship at the prestigious photojournalism agency Magnum Photos.
2003
- Shortlisted as part of the Ian Parry Scholarship for Young Photojournalists (Sunday Times Magazine UK)
His work has been widely published internationally, in print with publications including;
Newsweek, TIME Magazine, National Geographic China, The Guardian, The Independent, Die Zeit, The Globe & Mail, The Ecologist, Marie Claire, The British Journal of Photography and Der Spiegel.
His notable online publications include work with:
He has had work exhibited as part of group exhibitions at ;
COP15 Climate Summit (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Shanghai World Expo (China)
The Paramount Theatre (Virginia, USA)
Proud Gallery (London)
HOST Gallery (London)
The Tom Blau Gallery (London)
Villa Braida in Mogliano Veneto (Italy)
Testimonials
"...an exceptinally talented photographer." Jon Sawyer | Director of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
“Sean embodies a rare combination of a scientist's mind and an artist's eye.”
Miki Johnson | Editor | LiveBooks
"[on Gallagher's work]...stylistically powerful and journalistically relevant."
- David Alan Harvey | Magnum Photos
“[on Gallagher's work]…Some of the most striking images on display at December’s Copenhagen climate change conference” | BBC World Service
“Sean has shown how it is possible to find ways to cover stories you are passionate about.” Phil Coomes | BBC News Online